It takes years to develop an all-new car. There have already been countless spy shots of the new IS in deep camo, so the car is already done. Lexus being behind the competition in releasing the new IS is just a matter of timing. It's not like Lexus just starting penning the new IS after seeing what the competition has to offer.
__________________________________________________________• Yea, I'm gonna drive a domestic. Why don't I just flush my money down a toilet??? •

Speedbird:It takes years to develop an all-new car. There have already been countless spy shots of the new IS in deep camo, so the car is already done. Lexus being behind the competition in releasing the new IS is just a matter of timing. It's not like Lexus just starting penning the new IS after seeing what the competition has to offer.

If it takes years to develop an all new car, I wonder how long it takes Toyota/Lexus to come up with excuses and theories on how Toyota/Lexus drivers mishandle the usage of their cars that leads them to catastrophic failures and fires.

zoom3zoom:Do you think that since Lexus waited for most of it competition to come out, it will be able to come out on top?

If they somehow take the ATS and give it a great manual transmission, it could be the best in the segment, then again its Lexus...

Another question is what base engine it will use, I don't see them having any current engines that can compete with bmw, caddilac, or audi's base engine.

What else would it need to win?

I honestly kind of doubt it will be best-of-class. It'll no doubt need a manual transmission to accomplish that, and I'm skeptical they'll make enough use of one to do so. It will also need a power hike. The current cars' power levels won't cut it this time around.

As for the base engine, I think we'll see the 2.0 turbo four they've been rumored to have in the works. They can keep the current 3.5, as it's a fantastic motor, but it needs a 10-15hp bump.

I think if they made it look like the LF-CC concept, offer a manual across the board, give it driving dynamics as good as those of the new GS, and offer some solid powertrain options, they'll have a winner.

They really need to get this 2.0 turbocharged I4 up and running, and give it a good power potential. If they try and pull some 200hp BS, it ain't gonna fly. It needs 250hp to be fully competitive. That'll leave enough room for the 3.5 still. It'd be nice if they'd offer a supercharged 3.5 V6 model, like the JDM Mark X, and then still keep the IS-F. But this time tune it to 450hp. There's still a ton of power left on the table with that engine.

I just feel like since they know what it took for the ATS to be great, all they have to do is get the manual and some kind of infotainment system right, and they could have the potential to have it in the bag.

After seeing how well the spindle face translated onto the HS it might look great on the IS since they are probably the same width.
____________________________________2004 Mazda3 2.3 T -> 2012 Mazda3 Skyactiv GT w/tech

zoom3zoom:Do you think that since Lexus waited for most of it competition to come out, it will be able to come out on top?

If they somehow take the ATS and give it a great manual transmission, it could be the best in the segment, then again its Lexus...

Another question is what base engine it will use, I don't see them having any current engines that can compete with bmw, caddilac, or audi's base engine.

What else would it need to win?

Frisky_Dingo:I honestly kind of doubt it will be best-of-class. It'll no doubt need a manual transmission to accomplish that, and I'm skeptical they'll make enough use of one to do so. It will also need a power hike. The current cars' power levels won't cut it this time around.

As for the base engine, I think we'll see the 2.0 turbo four they've been rumored to have in the works. They can keep the current 3.5, as it's a fantastic motor, but it needs a 10-15hp bump.

I think if they made it look like the LF-CC concept, offer a manual across the board, give it driving dynamics as good as those of the new GS, and offer some solid powertrain options, they'll have a winner.

They really need to get this 2.0 turbocharged I4 up and running, and give it a good power potential. If they try and pull some 200hp BS, it ain't gonna fly. It needs 250hp to be fully competitive. That'll leave enough room for the 3.5 still. It'd be nice if they'd offer a supercharged 3.5 V6 model, like the JDM Mark X, and then still keep the IS-F. But this time tune it to 450hp. There's still a ton of power left on the table with that engine.

I hope they get some kind of performance tuned 2.0T instead of some fuel efficient 2.0T to replace a v6.

An interesting engine they could put in there would be the 2.0 from the FR-S. It would definitely be a cool little engine with their 8 speed hooked up to it, fuel ratings would be **** though
____________________________________2004 Mazda3 2.3 T -> 2012 Mazda3 Skyactiv GT w/tech

I think the previous IS platform they have will be good enough, High strength and light weight metal here and there, with the right tuning, would be enough. Its the engines they need to figure out
____________________________________2004 Mazda3 2.3 T -> 2012 Mazda3 Skyactiv GT w/tech

Speedbird:It takes years to develop an all-new car. There have already been countless spy shots of the new IS in deep camo, so the car is already done. Lexus being behind the competition in releasing the new IS is just a matter of timing. It's not like Lexus just starting penning the new IS after seeing what the competition has to offer.

O Kanenas:If it takes years to develop an all new car, I wonder how long it takes Toyota/Lexus to come up with excuses and theories on how Toyota/Lexus drivers mishandle the usage of their cars that leads them to catastrophic failures and fires.

Probably not long since it doesn't take Chrysler long to create excuses for their catastrophic failures and fires. Hell, they were even making excuses for Toyota.
------------------------------------------------------------"It's called the American dream because you have to be asleep to believe it" - George Carlin"When I give food to the poor, they call me a Saint. When I ask why the poor have no food, they call me a communist." - Helder CamaraCorey Booker & Alan Grayson ftw!

Speedbird:It takes years to develop an all-new car. There have already been countless spy shots of the new IS in deep camo, so the car is already done. Lexus being behind the competition in releasing the new IS is just a matter of timing. It's not like Lexus just starting penning the new IS after seeing what the competition has to offer.

O Kanenas:If it takes years to develop an all new car, I wonder how long it takes Toyota/Lexus to come up with excuses and theories on how Toyota/Lexus drivers mishandle the usage of their cars that leads them to catastrophic failures and fires.

XFistsClenchedX:Probably not long since it doesn't take Chrysler long to create excuses for their catastrophic failures and fires. Hell, they were even making excuses for Toyota.

I think Chrysler used TOYOTA'S PR people because when Chryslerz were crap, Toyotaz were crappier. You were not even born when Toyotaz, after a rain fail, started to rust. 2 weeks later, you had a car full of holes. (the 60s and 70s were not too kind for Toyota). So.... What I see now is that both car makers went back to their roots. Chrysler was excellent when they first started out and Toyota, well.... we will leave Toyota alone as its not nice to kick someone while they are down.

Yeah, you don't want to kick Toyota. Especially when owners report less problems with their Toyotas than any domestic brand.
------------------------------------------------------------"It's called the American dream because you have to be asleep to believe it" - George Carlin"When I give food to the poor, they call me a Saint. When I ask why the poor have no food, they call me a communist." - Helder CamaraCorey Booker & Alan Grayson ftw!

zoom3zoom:Do you think that since Lexus waited for most of it competition to come out, it will be able to come out on top?

If they somehow take the ATS and give it a great manual transmission, it could be the best in the segment, then again its Lexus...

Another question is what base engine it will use, I don't see them having any current engines that can compete with bmw, caddilac, or audi's base engine.

What else would it need to win?

Marketing is what it will need.

With the way the GS out did the competition(performance wise of course) the IS will no doubt do great. It will be on an upgraded version of the same platform it uses but with all new suspension like the new GS. Yes Toyota is currently developing a family of turbocharged I4 engines so hopefully that makes its way into the IS...IS200t anyone? Also the current IS regularly hits 60 in 4.9-5.1 sec so I assume this will be faster, lighter and have the rev matching 6-speed that the GS has.

As far as the IS-F that V8 was detuned for the car so who knows. All I know is the 2012 version is vastly improved compared to the earlier models and the new one might have a chance to beat the lacking new 3-Series.
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